JONESBORO, Ark. — South Alabama football managed just one scoring drive at Arkansas State, and the Red Wolves turned a fumble return for a touchdown and a stout defensive effort into a 17-7 Sun Belt Conference victory over the Jaguars.
Arkansas State sacked South Alabama quarterbacks Cole Garvin and Dallas Davis a combined six times and held the Jaguars to 255 total yards, only 61 of them on the ground.
Defensive Touchdown Opens the Scoring
The game’s first points came on a South Alabama turnover, as a Jaguars fumble was scooped up by an Arkansas State defender and returned for a touchdown.
Garvin started at quarterback, but with the offense held to 44 yards, Davis took over before halftime. Davis led a 56-yard march on the Jaguars’ final possession of the first half, but the drive ended when he was intercepted at the Arkansas State 3-yard line.
Fourth-Quarter Score
South Alabama did not reach the end zone until the fourth quarter, and the scoring drive began in difficult field position. A short Arkansas State punt was downed at the USA 16, a personal foul pushed the Jaguars back to the 8, and a false start moved them to the 4.
Facing third-and-9, Davis found tight end Gerald Everett, who turned the catch into a 76-yard gain deep into Arkansas State territory. Xavier Johnson scored a few plays later for the Jaguars’ only points.
Offensive Statistics
Davis completed 9 of 15 passes for 146 yards with one interception and was sacked twice. Garvin went 3 of 12 for 48 yards and was sacked four times.
Everett caught five passes for 125 yards. Dami Ayoola led the Jaguars on the ground with 34 yards on six carries, and Johnson added 24 yards on 10 attempts.
- Dallas Davis: 9-of-15, 146 yards, 1 INT, sacked twice
- Cole Garvin: 3-of-12, 48 yards, sacked four times
- Gerald Everett: 5 catches, 125 yards
- Dami Ayoola: 6 carries, 34 yards
- Xavier Johnson: 10 carries, 24 yards, 1 TD
Jaguars Defense Holds Red Wolves to 297 Yards
South Alabama’s defense allowed 297 total yards, 204 of them rushing, and gave up 10 points; Arkansas State’s other touchdown came on the fumble return. The Jaguars played without defensive lineman Sir’Calvin Wallace, who was lost for the game to injury, adding to a series of injuries along the defensive front.
Arkansas State quarterback Justice Hansen completed 9 of 13 passes for 93 yards with one interception and also ran 15 times for 37 yards. Warren Wand led all rushers with 88 yards on 18 carries, and Johnston White added 58 yards on 12 carries.
Contrast With San Diego State Win
The loss came two weeks after South Alabama defeated San Diego State, which was ranked No. 19 nationally at the time.
Up Next: Troy
South Alabama faces a short turnaround, hosting Sun Belt leader Troy in a nationally televised Thursday night game at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile.
